Input Device Height Sensor Dynamic Threshold Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Input devices, such as computer mice, face challenges with unintended cursor movements during re-positioning due to their inherent lift-off distance, which can be too low, causing tracking issues and inefficiencies, especially in gaming applications where frequent re-positioning is required.
Innovation Solution
An input device equipped with a height sensor structure, control circuit, motion detector, and adjustment circuit that dynamically adjusts the tracking threshold based on vertical motion direction, allowing for variable tracking distances to minimize unintended cursor movement and optimize re-positioning accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the lift-off distance is set low to minimize unintended cursor movement during re-positioning, then cursor control accuracy is improved, but the tracking may be prematurely cut off during swift manipulations causing loss of control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the lift-off distance variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the lift-off distance based on detected vertical motion of the input device. When upward motion is detected, the lift-off distance is increased to prevent premature tracking cutoff during swift manipulations. When downward motion is detected, the lift-off distance is decreased to minimize unintended cursor movement during re-positioning. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between cursor control accuracy and tracking continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of lift-off distance from a static value to a variable value that changes based on motion conditions. The control circuit modifies the threshold value used to determine whether tracking should continue or stop, based on vertical motion detection. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to different operational scenarios, maintaining both accuracy and reliability.
2Productivity
If the lift-off distance is set low to enable frequent re-positioning, then re-positioning efficiency is improved, but unintended cursor movements occur during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from the motion detector to continuously monitor the vertical position and motion of the input device. This feedback loop allows the control circuit to distinguish between intentional re-positioning movements and normal operational movements. When upward motion is detected, the system responds by increasing the lift-off threshold, preventing unintended cursor movement while still allowing efficient re-positioning when needed.
3Reliability
If the lift-off distance is increased to prevent tracking cutoff during swift manipulations, then tracking reliability is improved, but unintended cursor movements increase during re-positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the lift-off distance based on real-time motion detection. During swift manipulations, upward motion triggers an increase in lift-off distance to maintain tracking reliability. During re-positioning operations, downward motion triggers a decrease in lift-off distance to maintain cursor control accuracy. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between tracking reliability and measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments, there is provided an input device including a height sensor structure configured to provide a height output indicative of whether a gap between the input device and a reference surface is larger than a threshold value; a control circuit configured to control tracking of a movement of the input device in a plane defined by the reference surface, based on the height output; a motion detector configured to provide a detector output indicative of a direction of an at least substantially vertical motion of the input device; and an adjustment circuit configured to adjust the threshold value based on the detector output.